scholarly journals An Epidemiological Study Report on the Antioxidant and Phenolic Content of Selected Mediterranean Functional Foods, Their Consumption Association with the Body Mass Index, and Consumers Purchasing Behavior in a Sample of Healthy Greek Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 7818
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Kandyliari ◽  
Ioannis-Nektarios Elmaliklis ◽  
Olga Kontopoulou ◽  
Marianna Tsafkopoulou ◽  
Georgios Komninos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Phenolic Content ◽  
Purchasing Behavior ◽  
Red Peppers ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Greek Adults

Functional food consumption is shown to have a positive effect on anthropometric parameters and human health promotion. In addition, consumers seem to be more interested in food choices, that may have a positive effect on their health. The current study aimed to identify the antioxidant and phenolic content of naturally functional foods from the Mediterranean diet and to investigate consumer behavior towards their consumption in terms of their weight control, as well as their purchasing behavior and knowledge of functional foods. For this purpose, blueberries, cranberries, pomegranate, grapefruit, red peppers, almonds and mountain tea were analyzed for their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, using the Folin-Ciocalteau and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assays, respectively. Furthermore, nine hundred forty-nine healthy Greek adults participated in an epidemiological study, by completing a validated food frequency questionnaire, for the consumption of the above investigated functional foods. Five hundred and fifty participants also completed an online questionnaire investigating factors that consumers evaluate when purchasing functional foods. Study results showed that the analyzed functional foods were high in antioxidants and phenolic compounds, especially the mountain tea. The increased consumption of cranberries, pomegranate, grapefruit, red peppers and mountain tea was significantly correlated with a decreased Body Mass Index, suggesting a possible positive role, in weight control. Participants seemed to be aware of the beneficial role of these specific investigated Mediterranean functional foods to human health. They evaluated the price, taste and nutritional value, as critical factors to buy these food products. A combination of factors seems to lead them to purchase and consume these functional foods. Future epidemiological and clinical studies should be conducted in order to further evaluate consumer preferences and bioactivity mechanisms related to Mediterranean functional food consumption.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Requirements for Functional Foods

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Corina MAXIM ◽  
Anca FĂRCAȘ ◽  
Dan Cristian VODNAR ◽  
Maria TOFANĂ ◽  
Sonia SOCACI
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Rural And Urban Area ◽  
Different Levels

Although there is still no legal definition, functional foods are considered by the scientific community as providing additional benefits beyond the general benefits of nutrient intake and satisfaction of hunger. The bioactive compounds present in these products should provide a scientifically proven health benefit for the prevention, management or treatment of chronic disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the consumers’ awareness, knowledge and interest for functional food consumption. The study was conducted on 120 respondents that answered a 16-questionaire distributed online. The participants were adults from rural and urban area, with different levels of education. The data collected from the respondents showed that women are more aware and interested in functional foods than the male respondents. Only 15% of the participants said that they do not know the meaning of the term “functional foods”. This study has shown that the knowledge and interest of consumers’ for the functional foods is influenced by factors such as gender, age, education or income level. The prices together with the sensorial and health benefits were among the decisive factors.

scholarly journals The Impact of Attitude, Consumer Innovativeness and Interpersonal Influence on Functional Food Consumption

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filiz Bozkurt Bekoglu ◽  
Ahu Ergen ◽  
Burcu Inci
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Interpersonal Influence ◽  
Consumer Innovativeness ◽  
Food Market ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Expensive Process

<p>There is a growing demand towards functional foods which give the consumers a chance to have a healthier diet without changing their current habits. Due to this appealing benefit, functional food market is rapidly growing and there is a raising interest in consumer research regarding functional foods. The main purpose of this study is to explore the impact of attitude towards the necessity of functional food, interpersonal influence and consumer innovativeness on functional food consumption. The secondary purpose is to find out whether functional food consumption varies according to demographic variables. The study covers 695 consumers living in İstanbul. The results show that people who believe functional foods are necessary, who are influenced by other people and who are innovative, are more likely to consume functional foods. It is also found that functional food consumption is higher among single and lower among educated people. Developing a new functional food is an expensive process and the companies need to have detailed knowledge on the products, consumer expectations and motives. So, it is believed that this study will contribute to explore functional food market and consumers in Turkey.</p>

scholarly journals Intention To Consume Towards Functional Foods Among Senior Citizen In Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Febian Flaviana Ivy ◽  
Syed Annuar, Sharifah Nurafizah
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Future Study ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Senior Citizen ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
The Other ◽  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Benefit

The trend nowadays is that when consumers prefer convenient food compared to healthy food. Due to numerous health threats, the demands for health foods are increasing. This can be seen from the number of purchases of functional foods which have improved tremendously in the market. This study was conducted to examine the influence of perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and cue to action on intention to consume functional food among senior citizen. The respondents were 250 conveniently selected senior citizen who are visiting shopping mall. Data were collected by using a selfadministered questionnaire. The findings revealed that one factor such as perceived benefit recorded a significant and positive influence on intention to consume functional food. On the other hand, perceived susceptibility and cue to action were deemed as not significant in influencing functional food consumption intention. Future study was also proposed.

scholarly journals Association of Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Functional Food Consumption and Anthropometric Characteristics with Anxiety and Depression Indexes in a Sample of Healthy Greek Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-149
Author(s):  
Ioannis-Nektarios Elmaliklis ◽  
Elisavet Miserli ◽  
Maria Filipatou ◽  
Ioannis Tsikouras ◽  
Charalampia Dimou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Diet Adherence ◽  
Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽  
Consumption Frequency

The purpose of this randomized, retrospective study was to investigate the possible association among levels of anxiety and depression and functional food consumption frequency, Mediterranean diet adoption and anthropometric indices in a sample of Greek, mainly young, adults. One hundred twenty healthy adults, 80% of whom were 18–35 years old, were randomly recruited from the North Aegean Islands, mainly from the Aegean University campus. The degree of anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X-1,2) whereas the degree of depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Mediterranean diet adherence was evaluated using the Med Diet Score and functional foods consumption frequency by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). According to our results, the study did not show a statistically significant association between Mediterranean diet adherence and anxiety or depression levels (p > 0.05), and a trend association was observed only for the depression grouped score. In parallel, increased depression level was significantly correlated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.019). In addition, the consumption of specific functional foods, such as beans, nuts, pomegranate, spinach and foods enriched with β-glucans, correlated with state-trait anxiety or depression levels, as well as with anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). The results of the study may contribute to the elucidation of the possible role of the Mediterranean diet and functional food consumption on self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

scholarly journals Consumer-Behavioural Intention Towards The Consumption Of Functional Food In Malaysia: Their Profiles And Behaviours

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Hayatul Safrah Salleh ◽  
Azila Mohd Noor ◽  
Nik Hazimah Nik Mat ◽  
Yusnita Yusof ◽  
Wan Norhayati Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Market Opportunity ◽  
Unhealthy Eating ◽  
The World ◽  
Promising Avenue

Unhealthy eating behaviour has been linked to the risks of many chronic diseases all around the world. Functional foods and its association with health benefits and reducing the risk of diseases open a promising avenue for consumers to pursue a healthier life as well as extending their life expectancy. This provides a great market opportunity for functional foods to be developed. Consequently, it has generated considerable consumer interest in functional food consumption. This study describes the profiles and behaviours of the consumers who are willing to consume functional foods in Malaysia. By using mall intercept surveys, data were collected from consumers shopping at hypermarkets in Malaysia. From the analysis undertaken, it was found that the level of consumer-behavioural intention to consume functional food is encouraging. The results indicated that behavioural intention towards functional food tends to be different across gender, age and marital status. However this study found that the extent of consumer-behavioural intention does not vary by ethnicity, religion, income and education. Future study was also proposed.

scholarly journals Purchasing functional foods to stay fit

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18
Author(s):  
Hasliza Hassan ◽  
Abu Bakar Sade ◽  
Lohan Selva Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Media Influence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Willingness To Purchase

Purpose Health fitness has become a major issue in Malaysia since the population of overweight and obesity is becoming critical. One of the ways to achieve optimum health fitness is by consistently consuming balanced diet meals. Hence, this paper aims to focus on the willingness of society to purchase functional foods as an alternative for their daily meals to stay fit. Design/methodology/approach The research framework was developed based on a combination of findings by other research scholars within a similar field. The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is positioned as the dependent variable, while lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness are placed as the independent variables. Quantitative research was conducted by collecting primary data from respondents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and regression analyses. Findings The willingness to purchase functional foods to stay fit is dependent on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness. Research limitations/implications Although the current market for functional foods in Malaysia is still at a small scale, the market for this industry seems very promising. Nevertheless, greater awareness on functional food is still needed. Practical implications Functional food producers should make an effort to gain the untapped market by focussing on the lifestyle adaptation, social media influence and food consumption awareness. Originality/value This research is a breakthrough to discover the willingness of Malaysians to purchase functional food to stay fit, which is influenced by lifestyle adaptation, social media and food consumption awareness.

Understanding variations in the consumption of functional foods – evidence from Croatia

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ružica Brečić ◽  
Matthew Gorton ◽  
Dominique Barjolle
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face

Purpose – Drawing on a representative survey, this paper aims to identify the determinants of functional food consumption in Croatia. The objective is to introduce and test a conceptual model that four sets of factors (food choice motivations, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, knowledge of functional food and health status) underpin variations in functional food consumption. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected via face-to-face interviews conducted in respondents' homes. Consumption of functional foods is modelled as a bootstrapped ordered probit model. Findings – Results confirm the significant influence of all four sets of factors for explaining variations in functional food consumption. Heavier users of functional food are those that place a greater weighting on health and convenience in food choice. In contrast, the salience of familiarity in food choice is negatively related with functional food consumption. Females and those with higher levels of educational attainment are heavier consumers of functional food. While perceived health status appears not to have any significant relationship with functional food consumption, there is a link with body mass index. Functional foods appeal most to those concerned about their health and desire convenient, “quick fixes”. Such “quick fixes” may however be employed at the expense of more fundamental adjustments to diet and fitness, which may provide the basis for superior overall disease prevention/health promotion. Originality/value – The study represents one of the first assessments of functional food consumption in Central and Eastern Europe, introducing and testing a comprehensive conceptual model.

Functional food consumption among older consumers in Malaysia: a Health Belief Model perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaviana Ivy Febian ◽  
Sharifah Nurafizah Syed Annuar ◽  
Mumtaz Ali Memon
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Older Consumers ◽  
Belief Model

PurposeFunctional foods and their association with health benefits and disease risk reduction open a promising possibility for consumers to pursue a healthier lifestyle and extend their life expectancy. This study aims to investigate the effect of perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers and intention to consume functional food among older consumers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from Malaysian older consumers using a structured questionnaire. A total of 250 usable questionnaires were used for final data analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the collected data.FindingsThe results show that perceived barriers and cue to action significantly affect older consumers' intention to consume functional foods. Nevertheless, perceived susceptibility does not influence older consumers' intention to consume functional food.Originality/valueThis study broadens our understanding of older consumers' intention to consume functional food. Importantly, the present study is one of the first studies that extend the application of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in the context of functional food consumption. The findings of the study provide pragmatic insights for both practitioners and researchers.

EU Health Claims Regulation and the Marketing of Functional Foods: A Regulatory Void?

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman Lelieveldt ◽  
Cris Boonen
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Eu

This report evaluates the current regulatory regime for health claims in the EU on the basis of a case study of the marketing of Optimel Control, a yoghurt drink which was marketed in several EU member states as a functional food aimed at suppressing appetite and maintaining weight control. Our case study of the marketing of Optimel Control in the Netherlands reveals that the use of non-textual marketing claims was much more important than the use of textual health claims. Because the current EU regulatory regime emphasizes the evaluation of the wording of health claims, but lacks an evaluation of non-textual claims we conclude that there is a regulatory void that producers can use to market their products in ways that suggest more health effects than scientifi cally warranted. As a result the protective effect of the current EU regulatory regime on health claims is less strong than what legislators may have intended. While it might seem most logical to simply expand EFSA's remit by also letting it look at non-textual claims, we argue that a better solution to close this gap is through a stricter monitoring of unfair commercial practices at national level.

The role of consumer ethnocentrism, country image, and subjective knowledge in predicting intention to purchase imported functional foods

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 448-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Xin ◽  
Sunhee (Sunny) Seo
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Country Image ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Consumer Ethnocentrism ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Intention To Purchase ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of consumer ethnocentrism, country image, functional food image, subjective knowledge and health consciousness in predicting purchase intention of imported functional foods using the theory of planned behavior. Design/methodology/approach A total of 361 Chinese consumers from 20 to 60 year old who have purchased Korean functional foods participated in this study using an online survey. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the hypotheses. Findings Consumer ethnocentrism had a negative effect on the intention to purchase Korean functional food, but the image of Korean functional foods, subjective knowledge and health consciousness positively affected intention to purchase Korean functional foods. Country image had a positive effect on the image of Korean functional foods. Attitude and perceived behavioral control had a positive effect on the intention to purchase Korean functional foods. Originality/value This study combined social and personal factors to explain Chinese consumer intention to purchase imported Korean functional foods.

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